With the Vikings due to move from the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome into a new all-purpose stadium in 2016, the franchise are ideal candidates as the NFL look to increase the sport's presence overseas.

Playing games in London would not be a financial burden as the franchise have a flexible lease at the Metrodome without contractual obligations with municipalities or stadium authorities, unlike many NFL teams.

The decision was approved by NFL owners meeting in Chicago.

'Since we started playing regular-season games in London five years ago, we have heard very clearly from our UK fans – they want more football,' said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

'We are excited to play two games in London and take this next step in the growth of our game. We believe that more football will lead to more fans.'

'This is a unique opportunity for the Vikings organisation to highlight our brand on an international level,' said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf.

'We are thrilled that our players and Steelers fans around the world will be able to enjoy the atmosphere at historic Wembley Stadium,' said Steelers president Art Rooney II.Last week, the NFL announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars will host the San Francisco 49ers on October 27 next year.

The contest will be the first of the Jaguars' four regular-season home game in the UK, to be competed in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

And with the St Louis Rams set to face the New England Patriots next month, the news is a further boon for UK-based NFL fans.

Since 2007, nine teams have played in London since the first annual game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.

With the Vikings due to move from the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome into a new all-purpose stadium in 2016, the franchise are ideal candidates as the NFL look to increase the sport's presence overseas.

Playing games in London would not be a financial burden as the franchise have a flexible lease at the Metrodome without contractual obligations with municipalities or stadium authorities, unlike many NFL teams.

Last week, the NFL announced that Jacksonville Jaguars will host the San Francisco 49ers on October 27, 2013.

The contest will be the first of the Jaguars' four regular-season home game in the UK in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

And with the St Louis Rams set to face the New England Patriots next month, the news is a further boon for UK-based NFL fans, who have seen nine teams play in London since the first annual game in 2007 between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.

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And the Terry camp will be quick to quote FA rule 6.8 which states that the results of relevant civil or criminal proceedings are 'presumed to be correct and the facts presumed to be true' by FA regulatory commissions.

But there is a proviso in the last sentence of the FA ruling which states '…unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that this is not the case'.

And presumably the FA, who surely must have close knowledge of their statutes, would not have charged Terry if they didn't believe they had sufficient evidence.

Heat's on for Chambers

The heat at Wednesday's British Olympic Association board meeting will be on beleaguered commercial director Hugh Chambers.

He will have to explain the failed Games sale of scarves and medallions and why only one sponsor, adidas, is signed up for 2013 when all the LOCOG Games rights revert to the BOA.

Chambers is understood to have various deals in the pipeline, but will have to convince his opponents on the board they will soon come to fruition.

But the BOA will be banking on new chairman-in-waiting Lord Coe to persuade some of LOCOG's raft of backers to stay on board for another four years.

Despite the certainty of Coe winning the election for chairman in November, GB hockey chief Richard Leman is due to stand against him.

And looking further ahead, it is difficult to see Sir Clive Woodward remaining at the BOA, unless he's given the challenge of being Team GB chef de mission for the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

Humphrey off BBC's agenda

BBC Sport have reacted to F1 presenter Jake Humphrey's 800,000-a-year move to host BT Vision's Premier League football coverage for four seasons – first revealed by Sports Agenda – by removing him from their trio of hosts for Sports Personality of the Year on December 16.

No thanks: The BBC will replace Jake Humphrey as one of the co-anchors of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Humphrey, who is under contract to the Beeb until the end of December, was due to anchor the flagship show with Gary Lineker and Sue Barker but will be replaced by Clare Balding or Gabby Logan.

Meanwhile, as well as the F1 broadcast merry-go-round caused by Humphrey's defection, the feeling in Sky is their big-name signing Martin Brundle has not made as large an impact as expected in the first year of his deal.

And after Brundle left the BBC for Sky, his relationship with former management client and Beeb F1 pundit David Coulthard has cooled.

Premier League gamble with new sponsorship

The often murky gambling sector of football sponsorship has embroiled Newcastle, Fulham and Sunderland.

They have all signed 1million three-year sponsorship contracts with Bet Butler and their software technology partners Worldlink Sport, who are funding the deals.

But Worldlink have yet to pay monies due to the clubs last month while consultant Stephen Pearson, the former Premier League commercial chief who brokered the agreements, is taking legal action against Worldlink for non-payment of his fees.

The clubs have been told by Worldlink the money is coming.

The Football League are due to announce Bet Butler imminently as their new betting partner but that agreement does not directly involve Worldlink.

Warning: Andy Flower said he would prefer if his players waited until the end of their careers before writing biographies

Flower's Prior warning

England cricket team director Andy Flower has made clear he would prefer centrally contracted players to wait until their careers are over before writing autobiographies.

Yet wicketkeeper Matt Prior is the latest England regular to agree a book deal with Simon & Schuster following the life stories of Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson.

Rugby row rumbles on

England Rugby 2015 face fraught talks over football stadium usage for the World Cup.

The Premier League, who delayed negotiations until their 3billion TV deal was signed, will agree nothing that puts them in breach of that contract.

Humphrey latest to quit as BBC admit they can’t compete with Sky and BT Vision

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UPDATED:

10:55 GMT, 18 September 2012

Jake Humphrey will leave the BBC to front BT Vision's coverage of the Barclays Premier League from the start of the 2013-14 season.

The Formula One host was the youngest ever presenter to work on Football Focus, Match of the Day and Final Score, having risen through the ranks of the organisation.

He has signed a four-year deal with BT as they embark on their new venture. In June they won
the rights to show 38 live games a season for three years, including 18
first choice matches.

Transfer: Jake Humphrey will move to BT Vision

It is another blow for the broadcaster
after Lee Dixon announced in July he was leaving for rivals ITV to join
Adrian Chiles, for coverage of Champions League, Europa League and FA
Cup games, as well as England internationals.

George Entwhistle, the new director general of the BBC, has admitted it is impossible to cope with the challenge from Sky and BT.

The 50-year-old told the Radio Times: 'Look at the latest BT/Sky Premier League deal, that comes in at about 6.5 million per football game. We are simply no longer in that class.'

BT are paying 738million over three seasons while Sky are paying 2.28billion for their rights.

Growth: Humphrey has been with the BBC for over a decade

Humphrey started at the BBC in the
CBBC department, presenting shows including Sportsround and Newsround,
before in 2007 switching to sports programmes.

He has also presented African Cup of
Nations, Olympics and Superbowl coverage with the BBC, but is best known
for his Formula One work.

The 33-year-old said: 'I’m incredibly
excited to be joining the team at BT not just because I get to fulfil a
lifelong dream of presenting the Barclays Premier League but because of
the fresh perspective that BT will bring to both sport and broadcasting
in this country.

Gone: Humphrey, Lee Dixon, Adrian Chiles and Ray Stubbs posing for a BBC photoshoot – all have now left

'To be a part of this young, vibrant team who are as passionate about sport, as I am, is a privilege.

'I've grown up at the BBC, and whilst I hope to work with them in the future, I'd also like to place on record my thanks to them. I am incredibly grateful to all colleagues, and of course the viewers, for their incredible support from CBBC all the way to Formula 1.

'My focus from the start of 2013 is on making BT's coverage of football the best this country has ever seen.'

Humphrey also displayed his frustration at his low profile at Euro 2012 as part of the BBC team by suddenly leaving to present the Valencia Grand Prix he had been scheduled to miss.

And fronting BT Vision's 38 games a season, which cost 738m over three years and includes the prime package of first-pick games, would give Humphrey the football prominence he wants.

Bernstein backed by Gill

David Bernstein's chances of extending his FA chairmanship past his 70th birthday in May, which would require a change of statutes, have been boosted by the backing of Manchester United chief executive David Gill.

The support has helped persuade the rest of the FA board to allow the proposal to be taken to the shareholders for approval.

But there will be resistance from those on the FA council who believe the age-limit rules should not be changed to suit one person.

Certainly Bernstein will have helped his cause by putting forward Gill last month as the FA's candidate for a place on the UEFA executive committee, as successor to Geoff Thompson.

Refurb for the FA

There will need to be plenty of refurbishing done at the FA's St George's Park National Football Centre ahead of the official opening on October 9, with parent company Nike taking over discarded subsidiary Umbro's sponsorship of the venue.

More than 100 Umbro shirts are on display in the reception of the sports facility while two pitches have been named after Umbro boots – Aztec and Speciali.

But at least the main gates do not need rebranding as the ordered 'tailored by Umbro' signs were never mounted; the FA were aware for months it was only a matter of time before Nike came in.

Back in the game: Ricky Hatton will fight on November 24

Hatton back on Primetime…

Ricky Hatton's boxing comeback three years after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao is understood to be screened by pay-per-view operators Primetime.

The 33-year-old fighter would have a share of the PPV income from a fight in Manchester against a journeyman opponent.

Sky Sports pulled the plug last year on their contract for Hatton-promoted shows, much to his upset.

BOA to begin cutbacks

THE first casualty of the cash-strapped British Olympic Association in the post-Games bloodletting is expected to be commercial director Hugh Chambers, who has not brought in the revenue needed.

Meanwhile, Albert Woods, the British Canoe Union president and GB Hockey's Richard Leman are considering standing against Lord Coe for the BOA chairmanship.

Boris Johnson (right) is taking over as the chairman of the London Legacy Development Company

Chairman Boris

Boris Johnson taking over as chairman of the London Legacy Development Company from hand-picked ally Daniel Moylan, who had just three months in charge, follows tensions in the hopelessly run LLDC.

Boris and the board had lost confidence in the combative Moylan, whose leadership style caused friction after he allegedly made changes without the necessary board approval.

They included Andrew Altman's ousting as chief executive and the appointment of interim replacement Dennis Hone.

Complaints were made to the FA's protocol committee that the Ukrainian party were not wearing ties at their Wembley reception before the World Cup qualifier. The blazer protester was told guests could dress as they saw fit.

Nicky Law's thunderous second-half strike gave Motherwell a share of the spoils against Everton in Stevie Hammell's testimonial at Fir Park.

In front of the 4,512 fans, including 1,049 from Merseyside, who turned out to pay tribute to the Steelmen's left-back, Shane Duffy gave the visitors the lead in the 34th minute with a header which went in off the post.

However, midfielder Law levelled in the 54th minute with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box which gave Toffees keeper Tim Howard no chance.

A cameo substitute appearance by free agent James McFadden, who had played for both clubs, most recently being freed by the Goodison club at the end of last season, also entertained the crowd who watched a decent game played in the right spirit.

Hammell was given a guard of honour by both sets of players before the game.

The visitors had former Rangers duo Nikica Jelavic and Steven Naismith on the bench, the latter having yet to make his debut for the Merseysiders.

Motherwell struggled to get a kick in the early stages as Everton knocked the ball around for fun.

The visitors squandered a great chance in the 10th minute when Tim Cahill's cross from the left found Leon Osman, who bulleted a header from four yards high over the bar.

Moments later, Goodison striker Victor Anichebe ended a spell of pressure by flashing a drive from the edge of the box over the bar.

The home side, with trialist Simon Ramsden and youngster Adam Cummins in at centre-back due to injuries, responded.

Cancelled out: Nicky Law (centre) equalised for the hosts at Fir Park

Winger Chris Humphrey somehow got past Sylvain Distin to set up striker Michael Higdon, who also cleared the bar with a drive, before Law tested Howard who punched clear.

There was a moment of panic in the Everton defence when Motherwell wideman Jamie Murphy's driven cross from the left-hand side of the box was blocked by Howard but the Merseysiders reasserted themselves.

On the half-hour mark Darren Randolph dived low to his left to palm a Cahill drive past the post before the Australian headed Osman's corner over the bar.

Three minutes later, though, Everton were ahead when Duffy rose at the back post to head an Anichebe cross back across goal and in off the post.

Well started the second half better than they had the first, and Law had the Well fans on their feet when he lashed the ball high past Howard after the Everton defence had failed to clear a Tom Hateley cross.

Moments later, Higdon hit the outside of Howard's left-hand post with a drive after latching on to another Hateley cross.

Cummins came to Motherwell's rescue on the hour mark when he cleared a shot from Everton substitute Jack Rodwell, one of four changes made by David Moyes at the interval, off the line when it looked a certain goal.

McFadden got a huge cheer when he came on in the 62nd minute along with Fraser Kerr and Omar Daley, with Higdon, Murphy and Cummins making way.

In the 68th minute Naismith, to the jeers of the Well fans, came on to make his debut. John Heitinga was also introduced, with Distin and Marouane Fellaini going off.

Six minutes later McFadden combined with Henrik Ojamaa to set up Law but his drive went inches past the far post with Howard beaten.

Naismith was denied a debut goal in the 76th minute when Well substitute keeper Lee Hollis, on for Randolph at the break, blocked his close-range drive and Seamus Coleman failed to get the rebound on target.

Hateley stung the hands of Howard with a free-kick with four minutes remaining but there were to be no more goals before Hammell came on after the final whistle to take the acclaim of the fans.

Rangers made two changes from last week's Old Firm derby win over Celtic for the clash at Fir Park.Kyle Bartley started along with Ross Perry, while Carlos Bocanegra missed out through suspension and Rhys McCabe was injured.

Motherwell welcomed back Keith Lasley from suspension and he replaced Stuart Carswell in the side as the Steelmen made one change from last week's defeat to Kilmarnock.

The home side surged into the lead with just six minutes on the clock when Sasa Papac inadvertently played the ball forward for Chris Humphrey and his low cross found Ojamaa, who rifled home from close range.

Rangers were back on level terms just three minutes later when a Lasley clearance was played into the path of Whittaker by Papac and he sent a swerving left-foot shot past goalkeeper Darren Randolph from 30 yards.

Whittaker was then cautioned for a challenge on Tim Clancy and the Motherwell player was fortunate to also escape with a yellow card from referee Iain Brines following his reaction to the foul.

Motherwell still looked dangerous and Nicky Law found himself through on goal only to be denied by an impressive stop from Allan McGregor, before Humphrey saw his effort fizz wide.

At the other end, there was a moment of controversy when Sone Aluko went to ground after being clipped by Randolph and thought he had won a penalty.

But, rather than point to the spot, referee Brines booked the player for diving instead.

Television pictures showed there was contact by the Well goalkeeper and Aluko was still remonstrating with the match officials as he left the pitch at half-time.

Bullet: Whittaker fires Rangers level against Motherwell at Fir Park

Motherwell could have restored their lead shortly after the restart when Clancy teed up a shot for Lasley, but he was denied the sight of his thunderous effort hitting the back of the net by an excellent save from McGregor.

Whittaker then had a chance to add to his tally for the day when he met a long cross from Papac from the left only to direct his header over the crossbar.

Rangers made their first change after 62 minutes when Papac was withdrawn to allow for the introduction of Kyle Lafferty.

Come on ref! Sone Aluko is booked for diving but he believed he should be awarded a penalty

Rangers had the chance to pile on the pressure when Aluko won a free-kick on the edge of the box but skipper Steven Davis sent his curling effort well over the crossbar.

McGregor came to the rescue of Rangers again as the match entered the final 10 minutes when he produced a superb save to bat a ferocious shot from Michael Higdon to safety.